USS Zumwalt sea trials for the U S Navy first stealth hypersonic strike destroyer wrapped up in January 2026 after extensive modernization at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula Mississippi, marking a key step in returning the lead Zumwalt-class destroyer to operational status with its new Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) mission set.
PASCAGOULA Mississippi, January 22 2026 US shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries announced that the completion of builder’s sea trials for USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) follows a long modernization period as the Navy’s first CPS equipped surface warship.
Ingalls Shipbuilding and U S Navy teams conducted a full series of at sea tests beginning with Zumwalt’s return to water after yard work that started in August 2023. The trials verified basic ship systems including propulsion hull integrity and power generation after major structural and systems changes.
The modernization replaced Zumwalt’s original twin 155 millimeter Advanced Gun Systems with new missile launch infrastructure sized for the CPS weapon system, a conventional hypersonic strike capability under development by the U S Navy and U S Army.
Officials from Ingalls called the completion of trials a pivotal milestone in advancing complex modernization work and setting a precedent for the class, which includes the future CPS conversions of USS Lyndon B Johnson (DDG 1002) and USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001).
What the Trials Mean
Builder’s sea trials do not equate to full operational testing but they do confirm that the ship’s basic structure and systems perform at sea after deep modernization before delivery to the U S Navy for further acceptance testing.
Zumwalt’s return to sea marks the first time the class sails following the integration of hypersonic strike infrastructure as part of the wider U S Navy Conventional Prompt Strike initiative.
Background on CPS Integration
The CPS program is designed to field conventional hypersonic weapons that can travel at speeds above Mach 5 to strike time sensitive or hardened targets. Integration aboard Zumwalt required removal of the ship’s original gun mount armament and insertion of larger missile cells.
Public reporting and imagery indicate that Zumwalt will host dedicated CPS launch infrastructure, although details on the number of cells and specific layout have not been released by the Navy or the shipbuilder.
Next Steps
Further underway testing and Navy acceptance trials remain before Zumwalt can conduct operational exercises or live firing of CPS weapons. Naval planners have previously outlined a live fire demonstration for 2027.
The remaining Zumwalt-class ships are scheduled for similar CPS modifications, building out a limited fleet of surface hypersonic strike platforms within the broader U S Navy force structure.
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